Reviewer:N Hoey
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May 21, 2014 Subject:
Good but Dupont is even better

Hey moe2ee, it isn't "mythology", it's actual historical fact. And the reason this recording completely dominates attention over the Dupont show is the perfect soundboard quality of this vs the marginal audience recording of that actually EPIC Dupont show. IF a complete soundboard existed of the Dupont show, it might even overshadow the spectacular Harpur College recording. It was a week of amazing shows.

It is easy to see why this show is so different than the tremendous Harpur College show. The band had to be full of this anger they were feeling and showed on their playing this day with intense deliberate playing. Whereas the Saturday night before the band was of course on their Saturday night trip in Binghamton NY & played both acoustic & electric performances. 5 stars for the quick impromptu show recording & band intensity.

Another version on the archive includes reviews that touch on the "charged" nature of this performance. At times this show borders on angry, far removed from the normal, laid back Dead. Dancin' is as motivated as it can be and NFA is rip-off-your-face mean. Jerry is thrashing that SG. A good show without the historical context, but an awesome show when you consider the state of the nation at the time. It's a must listen.

Previous reviewer hits on the Kent State massacre an this concert being donated free on the M.I.T student union steps in support of Students and in remembrance of '4 dead in Ohio'.
The tension level ad to be extremely high with what has just transpired at Kent State and to me it just feels like especially with the very hot 'Dancin in the Streets' that the Dead are able to channel that anger vibe into a musical release.
When Bobby starts to scream out, "Come on their Dancing" it is so strong it ends up being sobering. (Let cooler heads prevail)
Everyone talks about all the great things that happened in the 60's well they were some very intense times as well.

Missing from these reviews is the mythology of the event. Look at the date. The students were having a strike on account of Kent State two days earlier. The Dead decided to play for free for the students who were striking. An impromptu free concert in front of the student center. Equipment problems, less than ideal conditions... par for the course, but the energy of the music is incredible. At MIT this concert is legendary; nobody ever talks about the Dupont Gym show.

Reviewer:beedub
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August 27, 2013 Subject:
the old days

Playing like this is how the boys got their rep. Just amazing, so many years later, to hear their youth come through in their playing, their voices and their pre-drug addiction energy. Don't get me wrong, I'm an addict myself; I've been battling it for 40 years so I'm not throwing any stones, but after the black tar hit the bay in '73 things got a bit, well, dark let us say. Believe me, I was in the very middle of it-anyone remember Allison Wonderwalls? Anyway, despite all the pain, I wouldn't change a thing if it meant not having ever been associated with these geniuses......God bless the Grateful Dead.

Well, I normally agree with UM's assessments, but not here. This is a super hot show, and the recording, while a bit raw at times, is very clear and sharp. Awesome show. Must have been the cold, and i have noticed that the band does seem to really rock when they play to high powered schools. Like the 4 17 71 show at Princeton, which has pigpens premier Lovelight performance.

Thirty nine years ago the GRATEFUL DEAD were at M.I.T., where were you?

I couldn't be there in 1970 but I showed up today.

I bet the kids in 1970 had fun at this show.

The Revolution was on and the kids thought they were going to change the world...LMAO. Yeah, the world is much better now...thanks.

It's a mono show? I wonder how we got a "mono" show from M.I.T.? You'd think the kids at M.I.T. would have at least recorded this show in stereo-phonic hi-fidelity...or quad.

How many geniuses does it take to record a GRATEFUL DEAD show in stereo?

This show is haunted by distortion problems, audio problems, mic problems, and mixing problems, but the performance is solid, and intriguing.

Pigpen's microphone wasn't working when he started to sing "Good Lovin'", very unwise to piss off Pigen and he expresses his dislike for the unprofessional job very clearly.

You can easily hear the 1970 "sound" of the GRATEFUL DEAD. Garcia's sound is alive, sounds like he's playing his SG.

Despite the technical difficulties, The GRATEFUL DEAD are still inspired by the kids at the show and hypnotize their crowd with the standard 1970 tunes, lyrics, raps, and grooves.

At the end of NFA, Bob says "hey we're gonna split,and a we'll be playin for you tomorrow night, but it's just too fuckin' cold, you know how it is"...

Too cold in Cambridge Massachusetts in May for the DEAD to play? Another reason not to live in Massachusettes...

I wonder where Ned Lagin was during this show, was he at M.I.T. in 1970?

I recommend adding this show to you 1970 GRATEFUL DEAD collection.

This show won't be a Dick's Picks, but it is a show worth a listen.

3 stars for the mix
3 stars for the recording
4 stars for the performance

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Eat, Drink, Be Merry and Listen to the GRATEFUL DEAD.

Thanks for sharing this show.

Reviewer:Chris U.
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May 7, 2009 Subject:
Yeah This Is The One

This is easily in my top ten all time list, right up there with 10/14/68, 9/20/70, 2/13/70, 5/4/72, 2/15/73, 9/18/74, etc.

In spite (or because of?) the cold weather and the tragic events of the day, the band delivers a flaming hot set. This is one of those shows where after one or two playthroughs the attentive listener will recognize the particular versions played on this day instantly, forever after. They say every show is unique but some shows are more unique than others and this one of those shows. Even the version of Next Time You See Me in this show is remarkable.

The version of Dancing in the Streets is the version against which all others must be compared (and fail to match in intensity). After a crescendo towards the end of the first major jam section, the band regroups on top of one of the most devastating bass runs Lesh ever laid.

The Morning Dew is fantastic and no versions as powerful will be heard until the tour in Europe two years later.

And to top it all off you get a ridiculously face-peeling and nasty version of Not Fade Away that sounds more like the MC5 or early Ash Ra Tempel than the Grateful Dead. There is some territory explored in this version that will never be revisited. It's as if the band invokes the evil of Kent State in sonic form right there in Kresge Plaza, only to destroy it.

With love.

Addendum: I note that someone upstairs gave this show a mere 4 stars for the performance. Please turn the volume up. I think you're missing something. If this is a 4 then Tivoli Gardens is a 3.